Fandom Forbidden and Scarred Love { The Last of Us 1x1 with icedthemoon }

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

“We could come out here sometimes. Maybe go to the aquarium with Owen but not as a secret. Maybe we could just travel. It won’t be like before when we snuck off and got into trouble.” Theo was really trying to figure out how this could work. “Maybe we can tell people the plan. Or maybe we can have more people go other places too just so everyone knows about these places. They could still be vetted even if we don’t patrol them all the time.” He sighed. “I feel like this would be for everyone’s benefit.”

Soren laughed and shook his head. “A day? Baby, we are taking off a week at least. Mel and Nora can handle themselves in there. I am exhausted, and I know you are too. We can’t give them our best work just a day after this. All of this. This domino effect of way too much.” He gestured a sort of oval with one of his hands. “All of us. Taking off a week.”

Hayden just sat there as Josh cleaned him off. Everything. He remembered everything. Yesterday, Hayden would not have believed that. He would have thought that was just Josh talking and trying to be the good husband. Now, he was pretty sure that was the truth. He already had proof. Now that he was thinking about it, he could remember quite a few things that he was going to work towards. There were things that were going to change their lives. “Sailing and scuba diving. I wanted to dive deep down and find the reefs, and I knew you would come with me, because you would do anything.” His hero. His retiring hero. Those words were heavy in the air. “Soren is eleven years older than you, and he doesn’t act like he’s too old.” He smiled. He smiled as he thought about that. “And you’ll get bored if you’re just sitting around, stuck in a box.” It was painful to say out loud. A box like this one maybe. Hadn’t he just felt like he was stuck in a box?
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden looked at Theo, and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes! That's a good idea. Even if they aren't patrolled, we should still check them out and keep up with the infected." Kaiden said as he sighed softly. "We need to talk to my dad and Isaac. It wouldn't be a bad idea at all to do that kind of patrolling." He said as he put his arms behind his head. That wasn't a bad idea at all.

Jacob looked up at Soren, hearing that laugh and laughed himself. "Yeah, those two can handle it. A week off sounds wonderful. Just cuddling in bed and listening to you reading to me? I like the sound of that." He said, curling more into Soren's side with a sigh.

Josh was being truthful in his words, and he was hoping that Hayden believed him. He heard those words and nodded with a smile. "I would've dived down deep with you. I wish we still had the equipment to do that now. Because I would do it even now." Josh replied as he saw the smile, the smile on Hayden's face. "I know how old Soren is.. and I might get a little bored. So let's compromise. I'll patrol much less, once a week and we take a few days a week for us. Just us. In our room or out exploring in the truck in our city. And I'll protect you from whatever is out there." Josh said with a warm smile. "How does that sound?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

“Just a little more freedom. We don’t need to be so stingy on literally everything. You need up once and you get a big reprimand. How is that fair?” It wasn’t. None of it was fair. All these military people got together and decided to military even though they hated the military. It was a flawed plan. This new plan was a much better plan. “I think we can get your dad to listen. I really do.”

“A whole week to relax and do whatever we want. Maybe we take some nice leisurely walks. Go see all the new animal babies. I’ll read to you until my voice gives out on us.” At this point, they weren’t so much sitting as cuddling on the floor against this door. They got a couple of looks, but really, this wasn’t much of a surprise. They had always been this way.

These were dreams. The good kinds of dreams. The kind that made him smile when he woke up. The kind that made him feel like the world wasn’t so bad. “I can’t.” He looked down at himself. The leg that felt like it would be better to just cut off at this point. “I can’t go anywhere.” He didn’t want to say it like it was Josh’s fault. It wasn’t. It was but it wasn’t. It was also Hayden’s fault. He pushed it too much. He never did what was right for his body. “I can’t dive. I can’t go exploring. I know you say we explore in the truck but there’s only so much to see in that.” As much as he loved the idea. As much as he wanted it to be real, how could it be? Josh couldn’t retire from patrolling anymore than Hayden could go exploring the ocean.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

"I agree. Just a little more freedom and we won't just vanish. We'd make sure to tell everyone where we're going just in case. I think we can definitely get dad to listen." Kai said as he shifted onto his side, his clothes getting dry fast thanks to the warm sand and hot sun. "It would be nice not to be so strict on exploring. I know that we have the war going on, but if we're careful, it shouldn't matter."

Jacob chuckled as he nodded, hearing that. "Yes. We still need to meet Houston after all." Jacob agreed as he cuddled closer to Soren, seeing some people passing them by. "We might need more books if we're going to be off for a week." Jacob added with a small laugh.

Josh heard Hayden, and saw him looking at his leg. He bit his lip as he tried to figure out a way around that. It wasn't fair for Hayden. He wanted to see the ocean again, explore it and it was because of Josh he couldn't. "You can. We just.. need to figure something out." Josh said as he thought. How could he do what he wanted to, there was no real way to do this. A heavy sigh slipped out of his mouth as he knew better. There was one thing he could do though, and that was to do less patrols and spend more time with his husband. That he could control, that he could do. "How are you feeling? Do you want more painkillers?" Josh asked, concern in his voice.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Theo jumped up and started bouncing to shake off the sand. He wasn’t anywhere near dry, but he didn’t feel like laying there anymore. We would dry by bouncing. Obviously. “We stay in our own territory and maybe claim some of the unclaimed areas. If we establish some good boundaries, it will be okay. And who knows.” Theo stared out into the water and smiled. “Maybe our note will spark something great. Maybe we won’t have to worry about this war forever.”

Ah, right. Houston. That was not weeks ago but just the other day. It was amazing how the world worked sometimes. “Maybe we can do that later today if these two are okay? Or we can go tomorrow? We will have a week after all. No one can tell me no. I just saved all of them from never sleeping again with Hayden in charge.” He just about forgot that they were in a hallway, because they were so together in that moment. “And we have a whole library. We can take trips to grab more books for us to read. We could branch out with all this time. We will have the best book knowledge.

How was he feeling? That was a difficult question. “Honey, we are long past painkillers. I haven’t hurt like this in many, many years.” He nodded and huffed out a breath. “I knew it would probably hurt after, but I didn’t think it would be like this.” He put his hand on Josh’s leg and raised the other. He couldn’t look at the catheter in it. In his hand, it looked too much like the spread of the infection. “Okay.” He could do this. He was feeling a lot better than he had in days. Or maybe he felt worse, but it was a clearer kind of feeling. “What do we do with Kai?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden was feeling like a lazy cat under the warm sun, so he just watched Theo jump up and start bouncing. He nodded when he heard that, and it made sense. "I agree that perhaps we stay in our territory and perhaps claim unclaimed land as well. But maybe.. maybe you're right. Our note might be just the thing to end this war." Kaiden said hopefully, rolling onto his stomach and letting the sun dry his back.

Jacob nodded as he heard that with a smile. "I'm not sure if I'll have it in me to go today, but this week for sure. And true, you did save all of them from whatever Hayden could've thought of doing." Jacob agreed before he chuckled softly. "We could, try another genre or three. We can read the whole library if we want."

Joshua sighed and nodded, though he was thankful they'd gotten to Hayden when they had. "Your body didn't like the mixing of medication which didn't help with how you were trying to push your body beyond it's.. capabilities." Joshua said, feeling the hand on his leg. Then the subject that he'd tried to breach once was brought up again. "Well. We can't box him up or cut him off. He may have made some poor decisions the last few days, but we need to guide him, not trap him in his room. That does not mean we cannot punish him. But my thoughts were more towards only being allowed out of the stadium's fence, fence so he can go outside if he wishes, to just patrols for a week and we can put him on probation after that and he has to tell us where he's going and when he's thinking of getting back from that. How does that sound to you my love?"​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Theo jogged in place as he thought. He always thought better while they were doing things. That was probably why they had made some poorly informed decisions the last couple of days. Had they been able to be moving while making these decisions, they might have found better ways to do them. “Kai, you know what I think? I think this is the best thing we’ve done in a long time. I know it’s probably caused a lot of heartache back at the stadium, but I think it’s gonna be for the best. Maybe we can end a different kind of war. The one we’ve been fighting inside there.”

Soren laughed. “We could read the whole library! If we ever retire, we might as well take the library.” He lifted a hand to draw their attention. “Imagine, we could have a sign and everything. The Jacob and Soren Library. Maybe the Smith Library? It could be one of those Memorial ones. Though I think that means one of us has to be dead for that so maybe not.”

It was all Hayden could think of to do. He was so worried. So stressed. He had to do something, and the experimental adrenaline was all he had that could possibly keep him going. In the end, it only made him sick, pulled Josh and presumably at least Jacob away from everything else, and they still didn’t have Kai back. “Probation like what we do with the soldiers?” Because that was what they did. A soldier misbehaved and they went on probation. They got limited privileges until they could prove themselves again. “Okay.” Okay? “Okay, we do it your way. We try it a little less… overprotective and overbearing.” Kai was his little boy, but he was also a young man. “Okay.” He didn’t like it. Of course he didn’t like it. It was hard to let your baby boy grow up. But he could do this. He could do it. And he could let things go. Long since past things. He hoped.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai watched Theo jog in place, lifting his head to rest on an elbow. “I agree. This is absolutely the best thing we could’ve done. And I’m sure we might have caused issues and heartache but maybe it’s enough to get them to realize that we just want some freedom.” Kaiden said as he stretched.

Jacob shook his head a little and laughed. “We’ll read the whole library but no, we aren’t doing a memorial one. I’m not ready to lose you just yet.” Jacob said with a grin on his face. “Should we.. check in on them?” Jacob asked, looking at the door. It had been quiet for a little bit now.

Josh bit his lip as he heard the first sentence. “Yes.” He replied before he heard the rest of Hayden’s words. “I know it won’t be easy, but it’s a good idea. Give him a little bit of.. room to grow and learn. And we’ll be there to teach him and discipline when he does something wrong. Okay?” Josh said, rubbing his back gently. “A- Are we good too? Because.. I have to admit my love, some of those things I heard you say.. I wasn’t sure if you meant it or not and I want to know. I… I need to know.” Josh said quietly, looking at Hayden.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

What a good morning. Theo was not sure how it would go after the bad that was last night and then the lack of sleep Kai got from his intrusive thoughts. This was going well, though. “Alright, free man. What do we do now? We have explored the ocean and solved boredom. What’s next on our daring list of things to do?

Soren turned his attention to the door as well. It had been quiet for a while. He was not sure what that meant, but he was hoping it was a good thing. Not yelling was always good unless they decided to have some sort of very serious and quiet argument. Jacob was right. They should go check. He nodded. “Especially if you think he’s going to need medication soon?”

Hayden didn’t like it. There were a million reasons not to like this plan, but it was the only one they had left or at least the only one Hayden could see. He was too exhausted to even think of another way that they could do still assert some sort of authority, teach Kaiden how to be a responsible adult, without smothering him at the same time. Teach him. Not force him. “Okay.” It was only fair to let his other parent get to parent too. He stared at his hands in his lap. He thought the Kai predicament was a problem, and it was, but it wasn’t the actual one. “I want to say yes, but I think I’ve proven that we aren’t.” He put a hand on Josh’s cheek to connect them. “I love you. I have loved you since we were in high school. I loved you when you were working in that little coffee shop. I loved you when you were a soldier and an officer. I loved you when you were on the other side of a chasm I still don’t know which one of us made.” He smiled sadly. “And I love you now. You are half of my world.” His eyes cast down again, and his fingers fell from Josh’s face. “But I did. I meant them. All of them. We have been lying to each other, Josh. We look like the perfect family, but we aren’t. I don’t want to hurt you. I did, because I was hurting. I am still hurting. Every day. I am always afraid that one day I am going to look up, and you’re going to be gone again, and I am either going to be alone or with the person who took the world from me. And I know that’s not fair. It isn’t. You didn’t do this. You didn’t cause an outbreak that changed everything. I shouldn’t blame you. You are my hero. You always have been since all those years ago in high school. But you are also the villain in the story I created when I was so alone. I- I’m sorry.” He couldn’t continue. This was hard enough.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden finally got up from the sand, shaking and wiping the dried sand off his clothes. He looked over at Theo and sighed, shrugging his shoulders. “We can go check out the cruise ship? I’ve only ever seen it from the outside.” Kai said as he slipped his pack on with a smile.

Jacob nodded with a heavy sigh. Reluctantly he pulled away from his husband’s embrace and made to stand up. “Yeah. Let’s make sure they haven’t killed each other.” Jacob said, only mildly joking.

Josh just sat there. He listened, he learned and he felt the hand on his cheek for before the hand dropped. Sadness like spikes drove into his heart as he heard that he’d meant those words. His hero and his villain. The good and the bad. Josh was both of those. He had only done what he thought was protecting his family. But even moving over to the WLF, was he still alienating his husband from him? “Oh.” It was all Josh could think to say. “I.. I don’t know what to say. I didn’t realize you saw me as that way, ever. I’m.. I’m sorry that I was a villain to you.” Joshua replied, his arm dropping off Hayden’s shoulder as he tried to come up with something to say but he was speechless. “I love you. And I always have. But I can’t.. I wish you’d talked to me sooner.” Josh’s hands were in his lap, twisting like they did when he was unsure. He had never wanted this, this outbreak, to make the decision he did. “What else would you like to tell me? What else have you kept hidden away in that albeit beautiful brain of yours?”​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Theo’s smile got about as big as the sun. “I have always wanted to go in there. I mean sure, it’s probably dangerous, but so is the whole world so what’s the point in not doing it?” He bounced on his heels in anticipation as Kai shook his sand off. “I mean can it really be that bad? Probably not, right?”

A small smile crept across Hayden’s lips as he raised his hand. He put a finger on Josh’s nose. “If you rub a shark’s nose just right, he will go into a little trance. It’s a sort of animal hypnosis. This is how they can move the sharks around and check on them safely. Otherwise, even with the tame ones, you have to be careful.” He pulled away the finger, that smile still sitting there. But it didn’t touch his eyes. “Because their skin is covered in little teeth.”

Soren also stood up, taking his husband’s hand to help him. Then he pushed open the door.

Hayden let his hand drop as he looked at the door. “Ah, my other captors. I wondered where you were.” He pushed away from Josh and gently raised his arm that was attached to the IV. “Can we take this out now, nurse? I am not sure I need it anymore. Thank you though. I appreciate what you’ve done for me.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kai smiled as he heard Theo, laughing softly. “I’m sure it’s not as bad as they say it is.” Kaiden said as he saw Theo bounce on his heels. “Come on! Let’s go!” Kaiden said, turning and walking down towards the abandoned cruise ship.

Josh blinked, head turning to look at Hayden. He saw that small smile and the finger on his nose. A small chuckle crept out as he smiled. There was the man he remembered all those years ago. “Is that so?” Josh said quietly. He did notice that the smile did not touch his husband’s eyes though. This conversation was over for now as the door opened and the other two came in. Jacob walked over to Hayden and checked him. “I think you’ve got enough fluids in you. Did you need any painkillers before I take this out?” He asked, as Josh stood from the cot, looking at his brother and best friend. He still wasn’t sure if they were better but it was a start. “And you’re welcome. I told you I’d be there to help you no matter what. But there is a matter of taking all that experimental adrenaline like you did. It made it so much harder to treat you.” Jacob replied as he looked at Hayden, all the upset he felt as a big brother trying to make sure his little brother survived this.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

The abandoned cruise ship was one of those things that seemed like a normal and not at all suspicious place to go, but Theo could see why everyone was a little afraid. It was large and falling apart. He was a little daunting really. So by the time they got there, Theo was starting to get what people said about it. “What do you think is in there?”

Hayden shook his head. “No, I think I’m okay.” That smile still sat there, unwavering for now, and he tried not to look at Josh, because he would know how big of a lie that was. He hoped that Josh would let it go. Let him be fine without. He didn’t want anything to make the pain go away. He needed to remember it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t expect it to be that bad of a reaction.” To be honest, he didn’t even remember what he did after taking the first one. He had the vague sense of it not working or it not lasting as long as he wanted. “I won’t do it again.” At least not with that particular serum. He would have to create another one. They would test it in smaller doses. He wouldn’t use it before he got the okay from his nurse. “I promise. Now, I think I’d like to not be in here anymore. I won’t cause anymore trouble.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden looked up at the massive ship and then at Theo. “I don’t know. Could be anything. But we should be quiet in case there’s infected.” Kai said as he walked to the ladder on the side and started climbing. It would take him to the lower deck. He was a little unsure of climbing up but he was here and he was going to do it.

Josh crossed his arms as he heard Hayden’s words. He also noticed that Hayden wasn’t looking at him. He knew why. Jacob sighed and shook his head as he pulled out the IV and placed a bandage on it. “I didn’t agree with it when you made it. And this was the biggest reason why. As for letting you out? Sure. But you should rest in your room. Your body is still healing from what happened.” Jacob said as he started packing up his stuff. Josh moved back over to Hayden, hand out. “Let’s go to our room. Please?” Josh asked as he flicked his gaze to the other two. Jacob nodded before turning to Soren. “Help me bring this stuff back and then we can go relax ourselves.” Jacob said with a tired smile.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Theo made a show of closing his mouth, shutting it tight, and being very quiet. It was true that if there was infected, he needed to not be so loud. He did not feel like having another close encounter that further proved the point that they should not be allowed out ever. He waited at the bottom of the ladder for a moment, trying to gauge if it was stable enough for both, and then followed up after when he was sure it would hold.

Rest. Hayden felt like he had been doing nothing but resting even though he didn’t at all feel rested. He felt exhausted. He had too many things to do to be this exhausted though. This was how they got where they were now. He was exhausted and couldn’t let it go. He never could let anything go. As soon as he was bandaged and free, he held his breath and stood up. That was beyond painful at this point. Far beyond. He could not let that show or Jacob would want to do something about it. Instead, he reached for Josh. “Sure.” He nodded. “We can go to our room.”

“Someone should make sure Isaac is aware of the situation as it unfolds,” Soren added. “I can help you take all this back and then step out to keep him up to date and then return to you. We all need a moment to breathe.” He looked at Hayden. “I will make sure that everyone is on the lookout for Kaiden and Theo, but no one is going to be out searching for them, okay?”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden made it to the lower deck, head popping up over the railing. So far so good. He slowly climbed up and over, making it onto the deck. He stepped to the side, double checking, before peering over and gesturing that it was clear.

Josh watched Hayden stand, he took his hand. Then he decided that was not enough. Josh wrapped an arm around Hayden to offer support. He would offer that support all the way to their room if he had too. He was going to prove that he wasn’t just saying words. He was going to be there for Hayden. No matter what.

Jacob nodded though he narrowed his eyes a little when Hayden stood up. “Josh.. watch him.” Jacob commented before he looked at Soren. “That’s a good idea. No. That’s a great idea.” Jacob said as he moved to the equipment to start packing it up. Josh looked at Hayden and headed towards the door ready to head to their room.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

The fact that he didn’t hear any screaming meant that it was good so far. Theo pulled himself up the ladder and over the side, ready to take some sort of emergency action if he needed. Not needed so far. It seemed all quiet. He stepped forward and peered around. It was big, but it wasn’t as big as he thought it was when he was younger. That could have come with age. He pointed to the right. They could move that way? Why not? He walked slowly, watching for any signs of danger.

Hayden smiled at Jacob, though he was not sure if the smile was working on any of them anymore. “I’m fine, Jacob. I promise.” He wasn’t and they knew that. Josh, having been the one who just dealt with him awake and sober, must have known better than anyone else how much he was not fine. Of course, Jacob having just flushed his system probably knew it was bad. It had been bad for years. He thought that he was better. Apparently that was not the case after all. He leaned into Josh far more than he probably should have if he was hiding his troubles from Jacob. Maybe they would think it was being close to him. And it was that too. He wanted to be with with Josh. He always had. He opened the door and let out a deep breath as they moved out into the hall.

Soren knew that there was nothing he could do about Hayden. He had to hope that Josh could do enough to save him from himself. He helped Jacob pack things up as well so that they could move it back to the medical tents.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden looked at Theo as he came onto the deck. He saw the point to the right and nodded, creeping along the deck as he looked around. Wow. It was crazy how big this ship seemed from the outside, but it wasn't super big once he was there. He swung his head from side to side as he took everything in and looked for infected.

Josh felt Hayden lean into him and he supported him easily. He looked his brother, nodded that he had his husband and moved them to the door. He pulled the door open and made to walk them out of the room and towards their own room.

Jacob sighed, nodding. "Okay." He said, seeing the nod from Josh and knowing there wasn't much else he could do right now. He trusted Josh to have things under control. Once everything was packed up, he made his way with Soren to drop it off at the medical tent. Once that was done, he kissed Soren's cheek. "I'll see you in our room." Jacob said with a smile.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

It was kind of trashed actually. That would make sense if it had just been sitting here forever. Theo bent down and picked up an empty and grimy bottle. He read the label. Coca-Cola. He spun it in his fingers, looking at the etching. That was pretty cool. As he stared, he heard the slight sound of something like shuffling. With bottle still in hand, he tapped Kai’s arm and pointed to the left through the windows and towards some seats. He didn’t see anything yet, but something was definitely there.

The walk to the room was incredibly painful. It would have been so much easier to let Jacob give him at least enough medicine to make it to the room, but he never was the kind of person to accept that sort of help. He had no real reason for it other than he felt like he should be able to do it without. Someone was going to need that medicine more than him. Someone was going to deserve it more. He needed a couple of breaks before they actually made it to the room. Once they did, as the door behind them shut, he collapsed right there on the floor. He did not make it to the bed. He held himself up with one hand, holding up the other as he shook his head. “I’m fine.”

No, no that was not good enough for him. That sweet little kiss was lovely and all, but they had just gone through hell and back. Soren gently cupped Jacob’s cheeks, leading his chin up with his fingers, and kissed him properly. “To begin our week of nothing but us,” he added before he slipped away. He found himself with Isaac soon after. They had a lengthy chat about the goings on of the past few days. He already knew a lot of it. Soren caught him up on a good bit last night. Hayden did get to him in his delirium the night before. Everything was fine now. They were going to keep him under intensive watch as everyone also took some time off. It was only fair since they saved everyone from who knows what. “This is us saving lives,” Soren joked. He left with both of them happy with the results and made his way back to his and Jacob’s room. “Anyone home?” he asked as he kicked off his shoes. He was tired of moving and doing.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden noticed it was trashed around the cruise ship and he noticed Theo pick up a bottle. He looked over his shoulder and tilted his head. Weird old world stuff. He felt the tap on his arm and looked over to where Theo pointed. Hmm. He tapped Theo's shoulder and then gestured towards that area. 'Check it out?' His head tilted slightly in question as he stood there.

Josh took the breaks with Hayden, not letting him leave his side. When they were in their room, and the door was shut, he noticed Hayden collapse on the floor. Josh looked at him with worry in his eyes as he saw his husband holding himself up with one hand and the other was held up as he saw him shake his head. "You aren't fine." Josh said, refusing to stand back. He knew that Hayden didn't like to accept help. He kneeled down and gently picked Hayden up, ignoring any protest. "I know you are hurting and in pain, so let me take care of you please."

Jacob smiled as he felt Soren's hands on his cheeks and led his chin up with those fingers and smiled into the proper kiss. He nodded when Soren pulled away and slipped off. Jacob finished putting everything away and headed towards their room. He knew it would be a little bit before Soren was back, so he slipped on a pair of comfortable pants and a shirt, before laying in bed with a heavy sigh. It was such a crazy two days and he was more than ready to relax for a while. Jacob was pulled from his thoughts as he heard Soren coming in and heard his question. "Hmm. Depends on who's asking." Jacob teased him. "If it's my handsome husband, I'm laying in bed, but if it's anyone else, no. No one is home."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

Theo nodded, because that was what they were here to do. They were here to check it all out, right? And, if there were infected on board, then they could say that they still upheld their duty while on their sudden but necessary leave of absence. He stepped to the side and peeked through one of the windows. Thankful of the sunlight, he peered through. The seats were still in decent condition despite having been exposed to the elements. There was still a lot of trash everywhere. A lot of paper. Oh, and there it was. The runner who was walking slowly from one end of the row of seats to the other. He pocketed the bottle and slipped forward, pausing any time the runner paused too. He waited. And he waited. And finally, as the runner slipped away from him, he reached out and grabbed it, stabbing into its head and slowly easing it to the floor.

Hayden was already shaking his head. “No, it’s fine. It’s fine.” It wasn’t, and they both knew that. Really, he wasn’t even saying that he was actually fine. He was saying that it was fine enough for him to handle. Hayden always wanted to handle things on his own. Not because he didn’t trust anyone to help. Oh. Trust. Maybe… Maybe that was it. “Josh, no, I can do it.” He feebly swatted at arms that he still felt so conflicted about. Arms that held him together once. Or maybe still. Or maybe always? Arms that held him together now as he was lifted from the floor. “I can do it,” he kept repeating, but by the third or fourth time, he was no longer talked but was crying again. He was exhausted and crying. Emotionally spent was one way to describe how he felt. His head crashed into Josh’s chest as he found himself sobbing even more than he had been earlier. Let Josh take care of him? How was he supposed to do that?

Soren chuckled at that answer. He discarded old clothes as he grabbed new ones. “Oh, well, that is convenient that I just so happen to be a handsome husband. It is hard to say if I am yours though since you’re all cute and tucked away in a bed over there.” He slipped on the clothes and made his way to the bed. “Ah! Yes, look at that. How fortuitous to find my own handsome husband on this bed that we share every night.” He slid into the bed, instantly attached to Jacob. “Did you know that you are the most beautiful person in the world? I would know since I’ve seen so many people.”
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden watched as Theo stepped to the side and peeked into the windows. He kept crouched and quiet as he watched Theo move forward and go after the runner. As he was doing that, Kai’s attention was drawn further down. He moved slowly down the deck, and peered around a doorframe and ah, there. A clicker was walking in circles in the room. He waited a moment longer as the thing screeched and clicked, searching with its echolocation. Kai moved in a moment after, grabbing the clicker around the neck and stabbing its neck with his knife and slipping it to the floor. He searched the room and found some rags, bottles and bullets. He moved his way out to find Theo.

“Shh. I’ve got you.” Josh said, hearing the words and he’d seen the feeble attempt to swat his arms away. “I’ve got you.” He whispered, hearing Hayden crying again and his head crashing into his chest. Josh walked them to the bed, sitting down with Hayden still in his arms and moved himself so he was up against the headboard and holding Hayden close still. His hand rubbed his back as he started humming. A song he’d hummed before, back when the world changed and he hummed it now. He slowly rocked them too, allowing Hayden to cry.

Jacob heard the chuckle and looked over at Soren when he came over to the bed. He shook his head as he laughed softly and smiled as he heard him. “Oh yes, how fortuitous indeed.” Jacob agreed as he immediately attached to Soren the moment he was in their bed. Jacob curled into his side, looking up at Soren. “Hmm. No I didn’t know that. Maybe you need to remind me. Oh? You’ve seen so many people but none quite like me.” Jacob said, winking at Soren with a smile on his face.​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

As soon as the runner was down, he was looking around at what else he could find. There were a lot of bottles. He guessed that was because people were up on this ship for a while. He sifted through some of the papers, but it wasn’t anything that he didn’t already know. Theo slipped away and found himself heading towards the stairs into the lower decks of the ship. He caught Kaiden’s eyes and grinned before pointing down. Was this a bad idea? Oh he was sure. He went down anyway. There was bound to be something good there.

He was so tired of crying. He was so tired of being upset. He was honestly tired of being tired. Hayden did not know how long he cried against Josh. With his eyes closed, he noticed that they moved, but he did not notice to where. It was not until he was able to really feel the bed beneath him that he understood what Josh had done. The tears stained his cheeks and clothes. They relentlessly soaked into Josh’s shirt as he hummed a song that Hayden’s mind slowly chose to focus on more than everything else that hurt so much. Slowly, the tears drained away, and he was left with the heavy breathing that came from this kind of physical toll. As he held onto Josh, he realized something that he never quite understood before. He willed himself to speak. It was so hard. If he could get started again, then maybe they could talk again. Really talk. “You are my shark.” His head rested on Josh’s chest and his hands gripped any part of him that they could. “Sharks are beautiful, majestic creatures. They can entrance us like we can entrance them.” He breathed. And breathed. “But they are also terrifying. One wrong move, and maybe we are dinner. It is an innate fear that we all have. When we look at them, we see monsters. Monsters that are searching out for prey. Monster with rows and rows of teeth we are always afraid will tear us apart.” He breathed. “Sharks are beautiful. The most beautiful creatures in the world, and I lost them. I lost them for so long.” The realization of just how much Hayden had not been himself hurt. “I lost you.”

Soren placed an arm over Jacob as they moved so close together. It was his favorite way to be. “Sure, I’ve met a lot of people. I’ve been a lot of places if you recall. I went all over the world before the outbreak.” He ran a hand across Jacob’s cheek. “And I have never once met anyone as beautiful as you.” He ran that hand down Jacob’s neck and over his shoulder and down his side. “The best decision I ever made was all those years ago, back in that truck I still miss, thinking about you. And I decided in that moment that you were the person I wanted to have around all the time. Or maybe the best decision I ever made was going to your room after you woke up from that nightmare? Or maybe- maybe it was sending those people to go find you for Josh. I don’t know. I really thought I had this figured out when I started this statement.” He attempted a shrug.
​

 

[EquineGurl23]

Kaiden Lachlan and Alexander Brennan (along with the Smith Clan)
WLF Member, Young Seraphite Warrior | 23, 16 | Current location ;; Washington

Kaiden caught Theo's eyes and nodded, seeing him point downstairs. Kai moved his way after Theo, heading towards the stairs and walked down them with him. He looked around as they came to the bottom deck and he didn't hear anything just yet. It was silent, but that did not mean there weren't any runners, they just might not be moving.

Josh didn't care that Hayden's tears were soaking into his shirt, he just kept humming and rocking them slightly. Then he heard Hayden speak, feeling his head on his chest and his hands gripping whatever he could. "I.. am your shark? I did not realize I was so terrifying to you, that I was a monster.." Josh said quietly, rubbing Hayden's side gently. "I don't know what to say baby, I did not mean to cause you so much hurt and fear. Sorry is not a big enough word to cover all I did." Josh said softly. If he could take back everything he did during his FEDRA years he would but he couldn't. That was the past. "But we cannot keep reliving the past either. So what do you want from me? What can I do for you?"

Jacob felt the arm over him as he curled into Soren's side. "Right, you did tell me that you've been all over the world." He said with a smile. He felt the hand run along his cheek and his face darkened in a blush. Comments like that made Jacob blush still, even after all those years. "The best decision I ever made was asking you to stay over my parent's house. Cleaning you up and cooking dinner with you that night. But spending the night was just as wonderful." Jacob said, feeling that hand down his neck, over his shoulder and down his side. "That's okay, I know what you meant by the way." He added, as he leaned in and kissed Soren gently. "I don't know how but I love you more and more each day. You are the best thing that ever happened to me."​

 

[icedthemoon]

Ezekiel Finch and Theophilus Sharpe (and also the Smith Clan)
Seraphite Warrior, WLF Member | 26, 22 | Current location ;; Washington

The nice thing was that he was pretty sure there weren’t any clickers down here. Theo gave it enough time to really settle in before he stepped off the stairs, and he was certain that if anything was down here, it was not a clicker or anything big. Of course, that did mean that in theory, there were both runners and stalkers. Eh, they could take them. He stepped out and started moving through these large areas. He wondered what they were used for back when this ship was something real. Once they made sure that they weren’t going to get murdered, he felt like they should make some conjectures.

Hayden raised a hand and placed a finger on Josh’s lips. “I know. I know you’re sorry. I know I keep falling backwards.” His finger fell onto Josh’s chest with the rest of him. He sighed. Sat up. “You asked if there was anything else I wanted to tell you. You’re asking now what I want from you.” He paused to muster the strength to do this. This was what he had been avoiding for decades. “I want you to listen. Because I think it’s time I tell you something I’ve never told anyone before.” He played with the ring on his finger then suddenly stopped. He pulled it off and raised it up for them both to see. “You know, this is my favorite thing I have, right? Even after we got married. This ring meant so much more to me than the wedding ring. It means so much more to me than everything else we have ever had.”

“That’s because we’re a fairytale, remember?” A real life, adult fairytale. Soren could still see how fast and beautiful it was. It still felt like that today. They never fell into complacency. They never stopped having those magical moments. “I found my better half. My soulmate. My forever.” He placed a hand on the back of Jacob’s neck to kiss him again just a little bit deeper. “But also, ask? I know you think you were asking, but baby let’s be honest. That was a demand that I could not refuse. You were persistent. You knew what you wanted.”
​